Neighbors: Looking to add something new to Thanksgiving dinner

I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year and if everyone comes, I’ll be serving more than two dozen relatives. So, I’m in need of new recipes.

Yes, I’ll make the traditional turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy — if I didn’t, I’d be in big trouble — but I’d like to add a little something new to this year’s menu, maybe with the squash, turnip, parsnips or desserts.

Any ideas? I’d love to hear from you and maybe add a few new recipes to my recipe box in the process. I’d also love to share your recipes with others, but only if that’s OK with you. Let me know at franklincountyneighbors@gmail.com.

RETIRED GREENFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE professor Beth Erviti will share stories and slides from her 273-mile, mostly solo, sojourn through the beautiful mountains of Vermont tonight at 7 in the Wendell Free Library.

The program, “Vermont Long Trail — An Invitation to Adventure and Discovery: How a Wendell Woman Fulfilled Her 40-Year Quest To Hike The Green Mountains of Vermont,” is free and open to the public.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy her presentation. Beth was my anatomy and physiology professor at GCC many years ago, and she made everything so interesting. If she could get me excited about the pancreas, I’m guessing her talk is going to be quite interesting and engaging.

CLEAN OUT YOUR PIGGY BANKS and recycle bins, because South Deerfield Congregational Church is having a can and bottle drive on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in the church’s parking lot to raise money for Church World Service to help with the relief aid to the recent victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which swept through the Philippines and devastated thousands.

Bring all of your redeemable cans and bottles, as well as any spare change to fill the donation jars.

REMINDER THAT A FUNDRAISER to benefit Warm the Children will be held Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. in St. Kazimierz Hall, 197 Avenue A in Turners Falls. The Children Fundraiser, Princess House BINGO!, will include door prizes, a 50-50 raffle and refreshments. It will be $10 per person to participate in all bingo games. Have fun and support a wonderful program at the same time.

You should RSVP to 413-325-1661 to make sure you have a seat.

SHELBURNE FALLS FARMERS MARKET will host its third annual Autumn Market on Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Buckland Shelburne Elementary School in Shelburne Falls. There will be produce, crafters, food and live music by Adela and Jude. There will also be a raffle.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH at the corner of Church and Federal streets in Greenfield will hold a Mistletoe Mart and Craft Faire on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. It will have, from what I am told, a delicious full menu lunch from the church’s Saint James Cafe and there will be gift basket raffles, the annual Cookie Walk (select cookies and fill pre-sized and pre-priced containers) and crafters’ raffle baskets.

There is free parking behind the church and metered parking on the street.

THE LITTLE DRUMMER CRAFT FAIR will return to Franklin County Technical School in the industrial park in Turners Falls on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be more than 60 artists and crafters there. The proceeds will benefit the school’s music program and its award-winning Drumline. There will also be raffles and a luncheon provided by culinary students.

Admission is free and there’s plenty of free parking.

GILL-MONTAGUE SENIOR CENTER will hold its Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center at 62 Fifth St. There will be raffles, food, crafts, gifts and more.

Proceeds will be used to support activities of the center and the congregate meal program.

Raffle prizes are a $150 gift certificate to Food City in Turners Falls, a lottery tree, and a handmade crib quilt by Lillian Fiske. Tickets are $1 or six for $5.

BOSWELL THE CAT calendars are now available for purchase at: www.boswellsbooks.net. You may also stop by Boswell’s Books in Shelburne Falls to get a copy, or you may call 413-325-6680 to have a calendar shipped to you.

I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW that the Greenfield-based Celtic Heels Irish Dance Co. will be performing “A Celtic Nutcracker” on Dec. 21. Dancers hail from 11 Franklin County towns, as well as throughout the valley. The Celtic Heels rendition will be told through Celtic dance. Cara Leach, owner of Celtic Heels, says the performance will be the first of its kind in this area. I’ll let you know more about this at a later date — I just thought you might want to save the date.

To contact Anita Fritz, a staff reporter at The Recorder, send an email to: franklincountyneighbors@gmail.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 280. You can also reach Anita on Facebook at Anita’s Neighbors. Information to be included in Neighbors may also be sent to: neighbors@recorder.com up to noon two days before you want it to run.

I just had a wonderful Quesadilla filled with Rosted peppers,parsnips,carots,carmelized onions and a 3 blend cheese.
A wondeful easy dish that you can make the night before and just heat in oven.
Have a wonderfull hoiday wth family and friends:}
I have been cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for 9 years for Members at the Green River House.
And this year we are going to be with family in Ohio. A special thing we need to do because life is way to short.
thankyou so much and i love reading you articles
looking forward to talking to you. Have a nice SUNNY weekend :}